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LAO
NEW YEAR - Pi Mai.
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Throughout
the Buddhist countries in South East Asia the Buddhist New Year
is the most important celebration. Everyone gets off from work
for a week and busses and trains are packed with people returning
to their homes for the festival. In Laos the festival is called
called Pi Mai, translated literally as new year. |
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One important religious aspect of Pi Mai is the ceremonial cleansing
away of the old years sins with water. Temples are visited and
Buddha's are washed. When this is done the fun part start, and
a giant water fight starts which can last for several days.
No one is safe from marauding gangs armed with water balloons
and high-powered water guns. For some days every April the normally
tranquil streets of Vientiane turn into an enormous drunken
street party. |
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